from: Philadelphia Business Journal [1]

Pa. bill seeks to empower cable customers

Friday, May 11, 2007
by Athena D. Merritt

Consumer choice and protection are at the heart of a bill introduced on Friday that targets Pennsylvania's cable industry.

The bill, introduced by state Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, would create a statewide cable TV franchise law and give oversight of the industry to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Several states, including New Jersey, New York, Maryland and California currently have legislation that would create bodies with similar oversight, Eachus said.

"The goal here is to empower the consumer by making sure they have an independent advocate for customer rights; we want to level the playing field for all providers who enter or stay in the cable market, encouraging fair competition and creating choices for the people," Eachus said.

Customers are currently not offered independent arbitrators when disputes occur, he said. The bill is also aimed at giving consumers the ability to choose their cable TV provider, Eachus said.

"Right now consumers have the power to choose a telephone company for local and long-distance service, choose an Internet service provider, and even choose what electric utility powers their homes," Eachus said. "Cable TV consumers in Pennsylvania should have the same right to shop and companies should have the right to work to earn those customers with improved services, rates and a wider range of programming."

Under the bill, broadband access would have to be made available wherever consumers demand it, Eachus said.

"No matter if you're from the most rural part of Sullivan County or Philadelphia's Main Line, you're still a Pennsylvanian, and you deserve to have the power to choose your service provider," Eachus said.

The legislation will be referred to the House Consumer Affairs Committee for public hearings and study, Eachus said.